Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

The Maldives has in recent times acquired a firm reputation as an ideal surfing location. This is unsurprising when considering the glisteningly clear waters and ideal wave conditions the islands are blessed with. The islands are also relatively uncrowded, meaning that it is possible to enjoy surfing in comparative privacy. Specialist companies provide the opportunity to undertake boat trips lasting several days which enable surfing enthusiasts to experience different surfing locations. For the traveller considering Maldives boutique resorts a special place goes to Anantara Veli, Maldives, a superb Maldives resort which always satisfies the expectations of its guests.

Among many travellers worldwide, the Maldives is the holiday destination of choice. Situated in the warm, inviting waters of the Indian Ocean, the country is a geographical wonder. The islands are made up of coral reefs that grew around volcanoes that had gone extinct. While it has over a thousand islands in its domain, only about 200 are habitable. Each island is unique but the one thing they all have in common is their breathtaking beauty. The sandy white beaches, the shimmering blue waters and the friendly locals have all contributed to Maldives being hailed as a paradise on Earth.

At times it may seem as if the entire Maldivian tourism industry is centred around the ocean. After all, the beach is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. The salty air and the sound of waves help make a soothing atmosphere that will help tourists forget their troubles. As for those looking forward to a more action filled vacation, there are plenty of activities around the beach to satisfy even the most seasoned of adventure seekers.

Parasailing is arguably the most popular and exciting water sport available in the Maldives. The recreational activity involves a person who is attached to a specially designed parachute and then towed behind a fast moving vehicle (usually a boat). Tourists are usually given the option of taking off and landing from the beach or from the boat while at sea. Some of the more powerful crafts are able to keep two or three people airborne at the same time and is a terrific activity for couples. There are few sights on the planet that can compete with the bird’s eye view of Maldives afforded by parasailing and everyone who visits here should try it at least once.

In addition to parasailing, tourists can also go deep sea diving, jet skiing, surfing and snorkelling. There are numerous places that offer excellent services. To keep things simple, travellers can choose a Maldives island resort that provides these facilities. The Anantara Veli, Maldives is highly rated among Maldives boutique resorts and has the facilities for many water sports. The hotel also has a very good spa, giving guests the best of both worlds.

Also known as the city of volcanoes, Auckland is one of the most beautiful places in the world which is blessed with magnificent beaches and breathtaking mountains. Auckland is also the largest city which belongs to New Zealand and is one of the most financially developed regions of the country. Mt Eden is the tallest volcanic mountain located in the city which attracts visitors from across the world. The National Maritime Museum and the Oedipus Rex Gallery is a couple of other regularly frequented tourist attractions in the city. St Mary’s Church of Auckland is an architectural masterpiece which too deserves a look if you’re in the vicinity.

Anyone who has traveled to Auckland is familiar with the Auckland Bridge and the gorgeous views you are able to enjoy while on top of it. But have you ever wondered what those scenes would look like form on top of the railing that runs along the border of the bridge? What would the view be like if you were not actually on the bridge but on your way down to the watery surface at the bottom of it? Spectacular!

The exhilarating sensation of plunging down at break neck speeds with just a Bungy cord at your rescue is exactly what you could experience when you book a jump with AJ Hackett. The well trained professionals will see to it that safety comes first by using state of the art Bungy equipment which has been tested under actual jump conditions. This is certainly one adrenaline pumping experience which you absolutely do not want to miss out on while in Auckland.

Copthorne Hotel Auckland Harbour City is an ideal hotel in Auckland which offers easy access to many of the city’s tourist attractions and has a number of dining options where guests can enjoy various mouthwatering local dished. This flagship Auckland hotel also has a list of amenities which prove useful to the modern traveller.

Blessed with rich marine biodiversity, the Maldives offers some of the best snorkelling on the planet. This family friendly activity gives you the chance to explore the colourful coral reefs that surround the islands as well as to come into contact with some of the over 700 different fish and marine species found here. Underwater inhabitants include sweetlips, fusiliers, rays, dogtooth tunas, octopuses and even sharks. Offering the very best in accommodation and service, Maldives luxury hotels are ideal for those looking to live it up when on holiday. A luxury Maldives resort, Anantara Dhigu, Maldives is one such option which also provides snorkelling tours.

The Maldives offers an idyllic location in which visitors can enjoy a wide range of exciting water sports. One such activity is parasailing, which takes you on a rip-roaring parachute ride in the sky while being pulled along by a high-speed boat. Apart from the adrenaline rush, parasailing also provides some of the most breathtaking views of the islands. Those looking for a memorable holiday can stay at Maldives luxury hotels, offering the very best in comfort and modern amenities. One such option is Anantara Dhigu, Maldives, a luxury Maldives resort that also offers such activities as parasailing.

The experienced traveler will know that as diverse and varied as the many draws of Indonesia may be, not many of them are found in its capital of Jakarta. The featureless plain where the city smog rises over the high rise buildings doesn’t exactly scream of a summer pleasure palace. However, the experienced traveler can also tell you that the best travel discoveries are made by looking beneath the surface to find hidden gems. In the case of Jakarta, we may take that analogy literally, as it is gaining quite a reputation for what lies beneath the surface of the shallow seas which rings its islands – snorkeling adventures galore!

Several of the islands are noted for their varied treasures of hard and soft coral reef and varieties of vibrant marine life. Resorts Kul Kul Kotok Island, Sepa Island, Matahari Island and Pantara Island are special favourites among the snorkeling enthusiasts of Jakarta, boasting veritable undersea parks of vibrant coral with exotic fish and sea turtles. The Pulau Seribu or Thousand Island, Gosana Pandan Island and Semak Daun Utara Island are all among the prime favourites which offer the most magnificent underwater experiences that can be viewed without the hindrance of scuba gear. The Pramuka Island also is yet another island which is set apart from the others due to the opportunities of island cruising it offers (a perfect complement to an afternoon of diving) and the presence of “fish doctors” in its waters. These rare and quaint fish are inquisitive creatures that appear to be dressed in a white coat and prod randomly at passing fish.

Panggang Island, widely accepted as being the island whose shallows house the densest formations of colourful soft coral, merits a special mention in the recreational snorkeling. This island is famous for the rainbow fish which abound in its waters as well as the angelfish, shoals of damselfish, sea urchins and the very rare and exotic sea-lily which blooms here in a myriad of hues. Even if you’ve never been introduced to snorkeling before, picture these bright slivers of life and gentle sea turtles weaving about a garden of living coral submerged in the azure sun-warmed waters of these tropical shallows and see if you don’t race to buy an underwater camera!

Although these aforementioned hidden recreational gems prove Jakarta to be a very viable option for leisure travel, it has to be accepted that the busy Indonesian hub of trade mostly attracts visitors of business, sometimes on extended trips of commercial nature. It is customary for these visitors to find their way to the Golden Triangle, which is the elite area of the business and shopping district housing the serviced accommodation Jakarta offers. However, private Serviced Apartments Jakarta are also fast gaining vogue among the business and leisure travel community as preferable alternatives to extended hotel stays. Somerset Grand Citra is one such complex intended for business executives and their families, providing a convenient base from which to combine work trips and leisure excursions.